UK motorists will have to carry an insurance Green Card when driving on the continent should a no-deal Brexit happen, the government has warned.
The card proves that a driver has the minimum insurance cover needed in the relevant country, but the Green Card-free circulation area – which covers the EU plus Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland – means that UK drivers only need a passport and driving licence when crossing any borders within the zone.
If no agreement is made for the UK to remain a part of the Green Card-free zone following its separation from the EU in 2019, motorists will need to get a card before travelling abroad.
Drivers can request one from their insurer for free. However, the Department for Transport has warned that insurers could offset the costs of issuing a larger quantity of the certificates with “a small increase to their administration fees”.
Commercial operators with fleet insurance have also been advised to ensure that each vehicle driven abroad has a separate card.
Any British motorist entering an EU country without a Green Card would have to buy a policy from an insurer within the country they were travelling through or risk prosecution.
Do you have plans to drive to Europe? Find out about the current arrangements here: https://t.co/feTKNf92ab pic.twitter.com/zmxIpWpRPx
— Dept for Transport (@transportgovuk) September 24, 2018
The same restrictions will also apply for motorists entering the UK from the EU.
On top of a Green Card, the government has also warned that motorists may need to carry an international driving permit when using a car in the EU.
Janet Connor, director of insurance for motoring services firm the AA, said: “Seven million drivers go to continental Europe for business or pleasure every year. The need for an insurance Green Card, which at present is free of charge, could bring a greater administrative burden and costs on insurers.
“This extra administration is an inconvenience for drivers, but for industry and particularly small businesses it potentially adds a further layer of bureaucratic difficulty to cross-border trading.
“From what was an easy and simple process of driving on to the continent, driving your own car there could become a real pain. Overall, a no-deal Brexit would mean more hassle than the current arrangements, so we hope a deal can be struck to avoid this potential red tape.”
